Television and pro-Independence Sentiment in Catalonia: selective Exposure of Catalan Television Viewers during the Independence-Seeking Process in Catalonia (2015-2020)

Abstract

The theory of selective exposure maintains that individuals tend to choose news media outlets that are consistent with their beliefs. This paper examines selective exposure when there is public debate on the tensions between national identities, specifically, the debate between supporters of the independence of Catalonia and those opposed to it. The results showed that there was a strong correlation between position on independence and choice of television channel in Catalonia. Another determining factor was language. It was also noted that the degree of selective exposure intensified slightly at specific times when social polarisation increased throughout the period studied (2015-2020).